Tissue piercing device for an endoscope

ABSTRACT

A tissue-piercing device is provided for use with a flexible endoscope for suturing or ligating tissues in body cavities. Two flexible sleeves are provided side by side along the endoscope such that a predetermined distance between the sleeves at a distal end of the endoscope is larger than a width of a channel of the endoscope. Two flexible piercing members are slidably provided in the two flexible sleeves, respectively, so as to extend from a proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope. And each of the flexible piercing members includes a needle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a division of Ser. No. 09/909,980, filed on Jul. 23, 2001, nowU.S. Pat. 6,921,361, which claims the benefit of priority of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/220,204, filed on Jul. 24, 2000.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for formingan artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The incidence of GERD has increased recently. The main symptoms of GERDare heartburn and mucosal breaks in the esophagus. Although it is abenign disease, GERD is accompanied by serious pain, and often requirestreatment. The main cause of GERD is decreased function of the loweresophageal sphincter (LES) at the bottom of the esophagus followed byreflux of acid into the esophagus.

GERD is usually treated by administration of acid secretion controllingagents such as proton-pump inhibitors. Moderate GERD will improve andmay be treated completely by medication. If, however, the LES functionis damaged seriously or if anatomic problems such as hiatal herniasexist, treatment with medication is less effective, and becomes costlyover an extended period of time.

Therefore, cases of serious GERD are often treated surgically. Effectivesurgical methods—including Nissen fundoplication or the Toupetmethod—are known and applied widely. With this method, the LES iswrapped by the stomach wall to improve its function.

This method has been proven highly effective. Recently, laparoscopicsurgery techniques were used with this method as a less invasivetreatment. Because there are many patients, and GERD is a benigndisease, these less invasive treatments are desirable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

FIG. 41 depicts a tool for transoral treatment of GERD, disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,887,594. This instrument a comprises a piercing device ehaving an elongated portion b, a manipulation section c and a hookportion d; and a securing device i having a connector f, a manipulationsection g and a securing mechanism h. The piercing device e is insertedfrom the mouth to the stomach of a patient, and pulled up to theesophagus, with the hook portion d fixed at the upper stomach therebyforming a fold of tissue (not shown). Then, the securing device i isinserted into the esophagus of the patient, and the securing mechanism hfixes the fold consisting of the upper stomach and the esophagus. Whenthe fold is fixed, the intermediate portion is compressed to inward toform a valve (not shown).

FIGS. 42 to 46 depict another transoral treatment method of GERD,disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO99/22649. Aninstrument n has a rotatable fastener head p, which is rotatable at thedistal end of a flexible tube o, and the rotatable fastener head p andportion of the flexible tube o that can touch the rotatable fastenerhead p have a male fastener q and a female fastener r, respectively. Theflexible tube o has a rotatable grasper s at the distal end, and anopening for an endoscope t to be inserted throughout the flexible tubeo. First, the flexible tube o is inserted from the mouth to the stomachof the patient. The rotatable grasper s is drawn into contact with ajunction v between the stomach and the esophagus. The rotatable graspers is operated to hold the junction v. Next, the flexible tube o isadvanced downward to suspend the junction v. The rotatable fastener headp is operated to penetrate the junction v with the male fastener q toengage with the female fastener r. Thus, the junction v and the middlepart are compressed to be protruded inward to form a protrusion x.

In the composition disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,594, the hookportion d of the piercing device e needs to be fixed to the stomach andpulled. The gastric wall, however, is thicker than the esophagus, and isdivided into three regions: the inner mucous membrane; the middle propermuscularis; and the outer serous membrane. In particular, a spacebetween the mucous membrane and the proper muscularis has highmovability. To form a protrusion into a valve, tissue including theproper muscularis should be compressed and lifted up. The hook portion donly takes the mucous membrane and cannot include the proper muscularisbelow it. Thus, the valve formed in this application is not large andthick enough to prevent reflux satisfactorily.

In the apparatus disclosed in International Patent PublicationWO99/22649, the rotatable grapser s is integral to the flexible tube o,which makes it difficult to touch the target tissue. The field of viewof the endoscope t is blocked by the rotatable fastener head p, whichmakes difficult for the rotatable grasper s to hold and suspend thejunction v between the stomach and the esophagus. Because the positionbetween the rotatable grasper s, the male fastener q, and the femalefastener r is fixed, the size of a protrusion x is limited. It isdesirable, however, to form a protrusion of varying size depending onthe degree of severity of GERD. The difficulty of passing food hasalready been reported as a complication of artificial cardia in Nissenfondoplication, and is likely to happen with an excessively largeprotrusion x. Even much a smaller protrusion x is effective for thetreatment of the moderate GERD. With this apparatus, treatment is notflexible enough to allow a small protrusion to facilitate food flow inthe case of moderate GERD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first object of the present invention is to provide the apparatusand method for forming a valve including the proper muscularis below themucous membrane to prevent gastroesophageal reflux effectively.

The second object of the present invention is to provide the apparatusand method for holding and suspending the junction between the stomachand the esophagus using a holding device extending out of the distal endof an endoscope to improve the ease of the operation for forming theprotrusion.

The third object of the present invention is to provide the apparatusand method for forming a valve of varying size by using a separateholding device and a needle to achieve the flexible treatment method,which may be modified due to the degree of GERD severity.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for forming anartificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease comprising afirst endoscope to be inserted from the mouth into a body cavity; aholding device extending out of the distal end of the first endoscopeand holding a point of a digestive wall where the artificial valve isformed; a first needle disposed the oral side of the point, retractablealong the first endoscope and including a sharp end for penetrating fromthe oral side of the point to the anal side of the point; a suturepassing through following the first needle; and a suture retainingdevice having a grasping section for grasping the suture after it haspassed through the digestive wall.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a treatment methodfor forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux diseasecomprises the following steps. Inserting an endoscope from the mouthsubstantially adjacent to a point of a digestive wall where theartificial vale is to be formed. Holding a point with a holding deviceextending out of the distal end of the endoscope. Pulling down the pointheld by holding device. Penetrating the digestive wall from the oralside of the point to the anal side of the point by a needle positionedalong the endoscope. Passing a suture through following the needle.Shortening the digestive wall with the suture to form the artificialvalve. Fixing the end of the suture to maintain the artificial valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an arrangement of the first embodiment of the presentinvention including a first endoscope and a second endoscope.

FIG. 2 depicts a holding device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a detail view of the distal end of the holding device ofthe first embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a detail view of a pair of jaws of the holding device ofthe first embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of the connection between a sheath and amanipulation section of the holding device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-section of the connection depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts a needle tool of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a needle of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts the needle tool, a needle, and a suture in a secondendoscope of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a detail view of the distal end of a sutureretaining device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts a knot pusher of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 12 to 27 depict steps of a treatment method using the firstembodiment.

FIG. 28 depicts a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 29 to 30 depict a treatment method using the second embodiment.

FIG. 31 depicts a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 32 to 35 depict a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 depicts a treatment method using the fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 37 to 39 depict a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 depicts a treatment method using the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 41 depicts FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,594.

FIGS. 42 to 46 depict various figures from PCT Application WO99/22649.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall configuration of the first embodiment ofthe present invention. Apparatus 1 comprises a first endoscope 2,holding device 11, which may be holding grasping forceps, forceps, orany other device capable of holding the digestive wall of a body cavity,extendable out of the distal end 3 of the first endoscope 2, a guide 5running lengthwise on the outer periphery of the first endoscope 2, asecond endoscope 6 to be inserted parallel to the first endoscope 2, aneedle tool 40 retractable at the distal end 7 of the second endoscope6, a sheath 84 in which the first endoscope 2 and the second endoscope 6are retractably inserted, a suture 46 retractably insertable in a lumen8 of the needle tool 40, suture retaining device 50, which may beforceps, suture grasping forceps, or any other device capable ofgrasping sutures, to be inserted in a lumen 9 of the guide 5 and movablein relation to the first endoscope 2, and a knot pusher 61 to be usedwith the first endoscope 2 or second endoscope 6. Each member of thefirst embodiment is described as follows.

FIGS. 2 to 6 depict the first endoscope 2 and holding device 11 of thefirst embodiment. The holding device 11 comprise a distal portion 12, asheath 14 fixed at the proximal end of the distal portion 12 andinserted in a channel 13 of the endoscope 2, and an manipulation section15 fixed detachably at the proximal end of the sheath 14 for operatingthe distal portion 12. In the distal portion 12, a pair of jaws 17 a and17 b, which may be forcep jaws, are fixed pivotally with a pin 18 to acover 16 and via links 19 a and 19 b to a cable anchor 20. A cable 21 isfixed to the cable anchor 20, and inserted in the sheath 14. The cable21 is fixed detachably to a sliding part 22 of the manipulation section15. A slider handle 23 is fixed to the sliding part 22, and istranslated lengthwise in relation to the manipulation section 15.

The distal portion 12 has a larger outside diameter than the channel 13of the first endoscope 2. The jaws 17 a and 17 b have a plurality ofteeth 24 a and 24 b for grasping tissue securely, which engage eachother when the jaws 17 a and 17 b are in a closed position. To minimizedamage to tissue when it is grasped, the surface of the teeth 24 a and24 b are smooth with a minimum amount of sharp edges. The jaws 17 a and17 b have longitudinal grooves 25 a and 25 b to permit tissue to escapewhen it is grasped securely, and to prevent tissue from collapsing.

The slider handle 23 has a serrated part 26, which is retractable. Thesliding surface 27 of the manipulation section 15 has serrations 28.Together the serrated part 26 and the serrations 28 act as ratchetmechanism.

A hook 30 is fixed to the proximal end 29 of the cable 21, and isinserted into a hole 31 of the slider handle 23. Threads 32 are formedvertically in the hole 31. The hook 30 is fixed in the hole 31 byscrewing a knob 33 to engage the hook 30.

The sheath 14 has two catches 70 and 71 at the proximal end, which maybe arranged diametrically from each other. The manipulation section 15has an introduction hole 72 in the axial direction at the distal end toaccommodate the sheath 14. Two engagement holes 73 and 74 are disposedwithin the walls of the introduction hole 72 to engage with the catches70 and 71. Outside of each of the engagement holes 73 and 74, there aredeformable latches 75 and 76, that press the catches 70 and 71 throughthe engagement holes 73 and 74.

FIGS. 7 to 9 depict the second endoscope 6, needle tool 40, and suture46 of the first embodiment. The needle tool 40 comprises a sheath 42 tobe inserted in the channel 41 of the second endoscope 6, a manipulationsection 43 disposed at the proximal end of the sheath 42, a needle 44sliding in the lumen of the sheath 42, a grip 45 fixed to the proximalend of the needle 44, and a suture 46 to be inserted slidably in thelumen of the needle 44. The needle 44 may be made of stainless steel orany material having sufficient flexibility to withstand proximalpressure and adapt to the bending of the endoscope, such materialsinclude super elastic alloys including nickel titanium alloy. Themanipulation section 43 comprises a body 80, a sheath sliding section81, and a needle sliding section 82, which slides in the longitudinaldirection. The distal end of the sheath sliding section 81 is fixed tothe proximal end of the sheath 42. The grip 45 of the needle 44 is fixeddetachably to the proximal end of the needle sliding section 82. Themanipulation section 43 has at the distal end a connecting section 49 tobe fixed detachably to a channel clasp 48 of the handle 47 of theendoscope 6.

The suture 46 may be made of durable, slidable material capable ofsliding smoothly in the lumen 8 of the needle 44, such as nylonmonofilament or multifilament coated with fluoroplastics. FIGS. 10A and10B depict the suture retaining device 50 of the first embodiment. Thesuture retaining device 50 is slidably insertable in the lumen 9 of theguide 5, which is fixed on the outer periphery of the first endoscope 2.A distal section 51 has jaws, 52 a and 52 b, which may be forcep jawswith an opening and closing position. The jaws 52 a and 52 b each have aplurality of small protrusions 54 a and 54 b for preventing the suture46 from slipping off the grasping surfaces 53 a and 53 b. The distalsection 51 has, at the proximal end, a sheath 55 following the curve ofthe first endoscope 2 and a wire 56 capable of translatinglongitudinally in the sheath 55. The wire 56 has a slider handle 57 atthe proximal end, and the sheath 55 has a manipulation section 58 at theproximal end. The slider handle and the manipulation section have, likethe holding device 11, a serrated part (not shown) and serrations (notshown), which together act as a ratchet mechanism.

FIG. 11 depicts a knot pusher 61 comprising a distal end 62, a sheath 63to be inserted in the channel 13 or 41 of the first endoscope 2 orsecond endoscope 6, and a knob 64 for pressing the distal end 62 in thelongitudinal direction. The distal end 62 has a slit 65 for engaging thesuture 46.

FIGS. 2 to 9 further depict assembly of the first embodiment. The hook30, the cable 21, and the sheath 14 are inserted into the channel 13from the distal end 3 of the first endoscope 2. Next, the hook 30,extending out of the proximal end of the first endoscope 2, is insertedin the hole 31 of the sliding part 22. The knob 33 of the slider handle23 is screwed into the threads 32 in the slider handle 23 to hold andengage the hook 30 with the sliding part 22. Then, the sheath 14 isinserted in the introduction hole 72 of the manipulation section 15 todeform the catches 70 and 71 inward and diametrically to be housed inthe introduction hole 72. The catches 70 and 71 deform diametricallyoutward to engage the engagement holes 73 and 74. At this point, thesheath 14 and the manipulation section 15 are fixed.

The guide 5 is fixed on the outer periphery 4 of the first endoscope 2at several points using a medical tape. The suture 46 is inserted in thelumen 8 of the needle tool 40.

The grip 45 is pulled proximally so that the needle 44 or the suture 46is withdrawn in the distal end of the needle tool 40. The sheath 42 isinserted from the channel clasp 48 of the second endoscope 6 to thechannel 41 until the distal end of the sheath 42 extends out of thedistal end of the endoscope 6. Then the body 80 is fixed to the channelclasp 48 of the endoscope 6.

FIGS. 12 to 14 depict holding and suspending of the cardia using theapparatus of the first embodiment. The sheath 14 of the holding device11 is drawn proximally to withdraw only the distal portion 12 in thedistal end 3 of the first endoscope 2. The first endoscope 2 covered bythe sheath 84 is inserted into the body cavity of a patient. Because thedistal portion 12 is also covered by the sheath 84, the endoscope 2 canbe inserted without any trauma of to the patient's tissue. The firstendoscope 2 is inserted into the stomach of the patient, and withdrawnfrom the sheath 84, then, the distal end 3 is bent upwards to face thecardia 90.

The slider handle 23 is pressed distally against the manipulationsection 15 (not shown in FIGS. 12 to 14). The hook 30, the cable 21, andthe cable anchor 20 are translated distally to rotate the links 19 a and19 b, and in turn, the jaws 17 a and 17 b around the pin 18 to open thejaws 17 a and 17 b. The sheath 14 is moved forward to bring the jaws 17a and 17 b into contact with the tissue 91 in the side of the greatercurvature of the stomach at the cardia 90.

The slider handle 23 is pulled proximally to close the jaws 17 a and 17b. The tissue 91 is held and pressed by the jaws 17 a and 17 b, but willnot collapse to overflow from the longitudinal grooves 25 a and 25 b orbecause the teeth 24 a and 24 b are not sharp. The serrated part 26 ofthe slider handle 23 is extended against the sliding surface 27 of themanipulation section 15, and engaged with the serrations 28 to limitdistal movement of the slider handle 23. The jaws 17 a and 17 b hold andfix the tissue 91, once it is held, even if the slider handle 23 or themanipulation section 15 is not held by physician.

The first endoscope 2 is inserted deeply into the body to suspend thefirst endoscope 2 and the holding device 11. The distal portion 12 has alarger outside diameter than the channel 13 of the first endoscope 2.The jaws 17 a and 17 b are wide and long, and the tissue 91 is suspendedand fixed by the jaws 17 a and 17 b.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16A and 16B depict penetrating the gastric and esophaguswalls using the first embodiment. The second endoscope 6 is insertedparallel to the first endoscope 2. The distal end of the secondendoscope 6 is positioned at a point 92 above the junction between thestomach and the esophagus while it is observed by the second endoscope6. Then the second endoscope 6 is manipulated to bend the distal end 7slightly toward the side of the greater curvature of the stomach. Thesliding section 81 is moved distally against the body 80 to extend thesheath 42 out of the distal end 7 of the second endoscope 6, and topress an entering point 93 a.

The grip 45 is pressed forward to extend the needle 44 out of the sheath42. Because the greater curvature of the stomach at the cardia 90 hasalready been held by the holding device 11 and suspended with the firstendoscope 2, the needle 44 pierces from the entering point 93 a throughthe mucous membrane 94, continuing at least through the propermuscularis 95 of the esophagus, then through the proper muscularis 96 ofthe stomach, and then through the mucous membrane 97 of the stomach, andexiting out of an exiting point 98 a of the cardia.

Next, the first endoscope 2 is inserted deeper in the body, and thetissue 91 is suspended lower, the needle 44 passes the entering point 93b, the mucous membrane 94 of the esophagus, the proper muscularis 95 ofthe esophagus, the abdominal cavity 99, the serous membrane 100 of thestomach, the proper muscularis 96 of the stomach, the mucous membrane 97of the stomach, and the exiting point 98 b at the cardia.

The first endoscope 2 checks that the needle 44 comes out in thestomach.

FIGS. 17 and 18 depict inserting and pulling the suture with the firstembodiment. The suture retaining device 50 is inserted in the guide 5and extended out in the stomach of the patient. The process is observedby the first endoscope 2. The suture 46 is pressed in the needle 44, andextended out in the stomach. With the suture retaining device 50 drawninto contact with the suture 46, the slider handle 57 is moved forwardagainst the manipulation section 58 to open the jaws 52 a and 52 b. Thesuture 46 is held by the jaws 52 a and 52 b. The slider handle 57 ismoved proximally against the manipulation section 58 to close the jaws52 a and 52 b. The suture 46 is held by the small protrusions 54 a and54 b on the grasping surfaces 53 a and 53 b of the jaws 52 a and 52 b.The jaws 52 a and 52 b are designed to minimize the chances that thesuture 46 will slip off, or be cut or damaged. When the serrated part ofthe slider handle 57 is engaged with the serrations of the manipulationsection 58, distal movement of the slider handle 57 will not be limited.Therefore, the jaws 52 a and 52 b hold and fix the suture 46 withhandsfree operation of the slider handle 57 or the manipulation section58. Next, the suture retaining device 50 is withdrawn from the guide 5together with the suture 46. The serrated part 26 of the holding device11 is lifted to disengage from the serrations 28. The slider handle 23is moved forward to open the jaws 17 a and 17 b to release the tissue91.

The steps illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, and discussed above, arerepeated to pass two sutures 46 a and 46 b through the following points:from outside the body, the channel 13 of the first endoscope 2, thepatient tissue of the esophagus and the stomach, inside the guide 5,outside the body. The endoscopes 2 and 6 are withdrawn with the sutures46 a and 46 b remaining in the body cavity. The resulting configurationis shown in FIG. 19.

FIGS. 19 to 22 depict formation of the artificial valve using the firstembodiment. The suture 46 a has ends 101 a and 101 b; the suture 46 bhas ends 102 a and 102 b. The ends 101 a and 102 a, which are on theside of the stomach, are tied to each other outside the patient's body.The free ends 101 b and 102 b, which are on the side of the esophagus,are pulled to draw the ends 101 a and 102 a into the body cavity. Theends 101 a and 102 b adjoin, and are fixed at exiting points 98 a and 98b of the stomach. Then the ends 101 b and 102 b are pulled further tobring the gastric wall near the exiting points 98 a and 98 b close toentering points 93 a and 93 b in the esophagus. Thus, a junction 103 ofthe stomach and the esophagus between the exiting points 98 a and 98 band the other entering points 93 a and 93 b is shortened to form aninternal protrusion 104.

FIGS. 23 to 27 depict fixing the sutures with the first embodiment. Theends 101 b and 102 b of the sutures 46 a and 46 b are tied outside thebody to form a knot 105. The knot pusher 61 is inserted in the channel41 of the second endoscope 6, and its distal end 62 is extended out ofthe distal end of the second endoscope 6. With the knot 105 engaged onthe slit 65, the second endoscope 6 and the knot pusher 61 are insertedinto the body cavity. Then, the ends 101 b and 102 b of the sutures arepulled to move the knot 105 and the second endoscope 6 into the bodycavity. As seen in FIG. 25, when the knot 105 reaches the enteringpoints 93 a and 93 b of the esophagus, the distal end 62 is pressedagainst the entering points 93 a and 93 b while the ends 101 b and 102 bare pulled to fix the knot 105. The above step is repeated several timesto prevent the knot 105 from loosening. After the knot 105 is fixedfirmly, the second endoscope 6 and the knot pusher 61 are withdrawn outof the body cavity. The excess sutures 46 a and 46 b beyond the knot 105are cut using endoscopic scissors (not shown), and are collected tofinish the process. Depending on the patient's symptoms, the aboveprocess will be repeated to form a plurality of stitches 106 to 109, asillustrated in FIG. 27, to form a larger protrusion.

The holding device 11 inserted in the first endoscope 2 allowssuspension of the tissue 91 while it is held and fixed securely. Becausethe distal portion 12 is formed larger than the channel 13 of theendoscope 2, the jaws 17 a and 17 b are long and wide enough to hold andsuspend a large area of the tissue 91 without damaging it. Therefore,the needle 44 can pierce deep into the proper muscularis. A largeprotrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and theesophagus is formed as artificial valve for preventing refluxeffectively.

Because the holding device 11 extends out of the distal end of theendoscope 2, the jaws 17 a and 17 b touch the tissue 91 easily while itis observed by the first endoscope 2. The process is simple for theoperator to perform, and requires a short time.

Because both the second endoscope 6 and the needle tool 40 are providedseparately from both the first endoscope 2 and the holding device 11,the operator independently controls suspension of the cardia and thepositions of the entering points 93 a and 93 b to form valves of varyingsize according to the patient's particular symptoms.

In the first embodiment, the second endoscope or the needle is providedseparately from the first endoscope or the fixing means. The operatorcontrols at discretion suspension of the tissue or the entering point ofthe needle to form a valve of different size according to the symptom ofa patient.

FIGS. 28 to 30 depict the second embodiment of the present invention.The same components as the first embodiment are indicated by the samenumbers, and their description will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, a needle tool 110 is composed as follows. Twosheaths 111 a and 111 b are fixed at the distal ends 112 a and 112 bparallel to the distal end 113 of the second endoscope 6. The sheaths111 a and 111 b are fixed at the proximal portion on the outer peripheryof the second endoscope 6 using medical tape at several points. The twosheaths 111 a and 111 b are fixed to the manipulation section 114 andaccommodate needles 115 a and 115 b, which slide inside. Grips 116 a and116 b are fixed to the proximal ends of the needles 115 a and 115 b andconnected to connecting section 117 which is detachable.

After the first endoscope 2 or the holding device 11 holds and suspendsthe tissue 91, the endoscope 6 and the needle tool 110 fixed to theendoscope 6 are inserted into the body cavity of a patient. Theendoscope 6 is operated to bring the distal ends of the sheaths 111 aand 111 b to contact with the entering points 93 a and 93 b and pressthe grips 116 a and 116 b to pierce the needles 115 a and 115 b.

The sutures 46 a and 46 b extend out of the needles 115 a and 115 b andare held and collected by the suture retaining device 50.

In addition to the features of the first embodiment, the secondembodiment also is capable of inserting two sutures 46 a and 46 b areinserted at one time. In contrast, using the first embodiment anoperator must set the appropriate direction and position of the secondentering point 93 b relative to the first entering point 93 a. Thistakes more time and is more difficult to perform. The second embodimentis simpler in operation and takes much shorter time than the firstembodiment because the two sutures 46 a and 46 b are inserted parallelto a certain distance at one time.

FIG. 31 depicts the third embodiment of the present invention. The samecomponents as the first embodiment are indicated by the same numbers,and their description will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, a needle 120 does not have a lumen. Instead, asuture 121 is inserted and fixed in a through hole 122 of the needle120.

The needle 120 pierces the tissue with the suture 121 inserted and fixedin the through hole 122. The suture grasping forceps 50 pulls the suture121 out of the through hole 122 and removed through the guide 5 out ofthe body.

In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, because it is notnecessary to insert the suture 121 in the needle, the needle 120 isthinner than the hollow needle 44 in the first embodiment. The needle120 can be tapered to have a sharp tip, which pierces the tissue withsmaller force to improve operability.

FIGS. 32 to 36 depict the fourth embodiment of the present invention.The same components as the first embodiment are indicated by the samenumbers, and their description will be omitted.

In the forth embodiment, an endoscope 140 has an optical system capableof viewing in the side direction. A channel 141, which opens on theside, has an elevator 143 near a distal exit hole 142 for changing thedirection of a tool, such as the holding device 11, as it exits thedistal exit hole 142. The orientation of the tool exiting the distalexit hole 142 can be changed from the axial (axis of the endoscope 140)direction to the side direction by advancing or withdrawing a wire 144fixed to the elevator 143.

The holding device 11 is mounted to the endoscope 140 and inserted intothe stomach of a patient. The distal end of the endoscope 140 is rotatedby about 90 degrees to observe the cardia 90. The wire 144 is pulled torotate and lift the elevator 143, thus directing the distal portion 12of the grasping forceps toward the cardia. The grasping forceps 11 areoperated to grasp the target tissue 91.

In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, without inversion ofthe endoscope 140 in the stomach, the front view of the cardia 90 isobserved using the endoscope 140 and the holding device 11 grasps andfixes the target tissue. Therefore, even if a patient has lost a part ofthe stomach due to another disease, and the stomach is too small toallow inversion of the endoscope 2, the present invention is effectiveto treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.

FIGS. 37 to 40 depict the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Thesame components as the first embodiment are indicated by the samenumbers, and their description will be omitted.

In the fifth embodiment, the first and second endoscopes 2 and 6 arereplaced by an integrated endoscope 150. The endoscope 150 has a firstoptical system 151 and a second optical system 152. The endoscope 150has the first optical system 151 and holding device 154 at the distalend 153. A suture retaining device 155 is mounted retractably at thedistal end 153.

The second optical system 152 as well as an exiting hole 158 of a needle157 is provided at the proximal portion of the distal bendable section159 of the endoscope 150 and is movable in the longitudinal direction.The exiting hole 158 is disposed near the elevator 160, and is rotatedby a wire 161 fixed to the elevator 160 to change the exiting direction.

The endoscope 150 is inserted into the body of a patient until thedistal end 153 enters the stomach. The endoscope 150 is manipulated tobend the distal bending section 159 to invert the distal end 153 so thatit faces a direction substantially upwards. After the first opticalsystem 151 observes the cardia 90, an actuator opens grasping forceps154 to touch the tissue 91. Then the actuator closes the forceps 154 tofix the tissue 91. Next, the endoscope 150 is advanced deeper to suspendthe cardia 90.

The second optical system 152 and the exiting hole 158 are moved in thelongitudinal direction. While the area above the junction between thestomach and the esophagus is observed, the elevator 160 is operated tobring the exiting hole 158 into contact with the entering point 93. Theneedle 157 pierces the tissue and comes out of the exiting hole 158.

The suture 46 is extended out of the needle 157, and held and fixed bythe suture retaining device 155 which extends out of the distal end 153under observation of the first optical system 151.

With the suture 46 remaining in the tissue, the endoscope 150 iswithdrawn.

The effects of the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the firstembodiment. In addition, because only the integrated endoscope 150 isinserted into a patient (as opposed to inserting a first endoscope 2 anda second endoscope 6 as with the first embodiment), the device isoperated by one operator, and treatment is simple and takes a shortertime.

1. A tissue-piercing device for use with a flexible endoscope forsuturing or ligating tissues in body cavities, said tissue-piercingdevice comprising: two flexible sleeves provided side by sidesubstantially in parallel along the endoscope such that a predetermineddistance between the sleeves at a distal end of the endoscope is largerthan a width of a channel of the endoscope; two flexible piercingmembers slidably provided in the two flexible sleeves, respectively, soas to extend from a proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope;wherein each of the flexible piercing members comprises a needle; andwherein each of the two flexible sleeves comprises a distal end portionwhich is removably fixed to a distal end of the endoscope, and a secondportion which is removably fixed to a second part of an insertionsection of the endoscope, and wherein a portion of each of the twoflexible sleeves extending between the distal end portion and the secondportion is not fixed to the endoscope.
 2. The tissue-piercing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the needles includes a hollowspace extending therethrough.
 3. The tissue-piercing device according toclaim 1, further comprising a connecting member which connects proximalends of the two flexible piercing members.
 4. The tissue-piercing deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the connecting member is detachable fromthe proximal ends of the flexible piercing members.